15.7k views
1 vote
How much work (in J) is required to expand the volume of a pump from 0.0 L to 2.7 L

against an external pressure of 1.2 atm?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

User Bstempi
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

2 votes
To calculate the work (W) required to expand the volume of the pump against an external pressure, we can use the formula:

\[ W = -P_{\text{ext}} \times \Delta V \]

Where:
\( W \) = Work (in Joules, J)
\( P_{\text{ext}} \) = External pressure (in atm)
\( \Delta V \) = Change in volume (in liters)

Given:
Initial volume (\( V_{\text{initial}} \)) = 0.0 L
Final volume (\( V_{\text{final}} \)) = 2.7 L
External pressure (\( P_{\text{ext}} \)) = 1.2 atm

Now, calculate the change in volume (\( \Delta V \)):
\[ \Delta V = V_{\text{final}} - V_{\text{initial}} \]
\[ \Delta V = 2.7 L - 0.0 L \]
\[ \Delta V = 2.7 L \]

Next, calculate the work (W):
\[ W = -P_{\text{ext}} \times \Delta V \]
\[ W = -(1.2 \, \text{atm}) \times (2.7 \, \text{L}) \]

Now, we need to convert atm⋅L to Joules since 1 atm⋅L = 101.325 J:
\[ W = -(1.2 \, \text{atm}) \times (2.7 \, \text{L}) \times (101.325 \, \text{J}) \]

Finally, calculate the value of W (rounding to two significant figures):
\[ W \approx -328 \, \text{J} \]

The work required to expand the volume of the pump from 0.0 L to 2.7 L against an external pressure of 1.2 atm is approximately -328 J (note that the negative sign indicates work done against the external pressure).
User Spyros Mandekis
by
8.7k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.